Jess Willards athletic background

So, outside of the swimming and me being a lot faster, he and I are about the same. When does Pollacks book come out about me?

 

His early boxing career is of course a bit more shrouded in mystery.

You occasionally encounter newspaper clippings suggesting that he had some earlier fights.

Bottom line, this is one that Pollack needs to do!

 

Would you KO Jack Johnson though?

 

The 100 yards in 11 seconds was probably run on grass, running on grass is way hard than running on tracks designed to make you run faster.

 

But more importantly, did he do any pimping?

 

When there's a market for it I suppose.

Seamus The Magnificent- The inspiring story of one mans unsubstantiated and unproven journey from being a track and field legend, power-lifting superstar, toughman contest terror to the internet forum sage and white guy skeptic we know and love today.

This story needs to be told Adam!

 

No really, he said he was doing it regularly, so the error will average out.

 

1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, etc.

 

Pollack took a break from books. PM me if you want more info. Willard looks clumsy to me on film. Maybe he ran a decent 100 yard time for 1915, but coordination was not his thing.

 

A guy 6-6, 240 who could run an 11 second 100 yards would be quite an athlete. I'm no expert on track times, but I'd think that if there is anybody alive today that size who can run that fast that person is a track athlete, not a boxer. I can remember when high schools still ran yards and not meters and an 11 second 100 yards would have won some high school track meets. But I don't remember a 6-6, 240 pound sprinter...I'm calling BS on the 11 second 100, and who knows if he could swim fast, high jump, or if the was strong? Watching him move I'm skeptical of all of those claims.

The county where Willard lived had about 16,000 people between 1910-20. Not a lot of competition at the "county fair." Before I believe that Willard could break 14 seconds for 100 yards I'd need proof beyond what some old man told a writer. All old men were great athletes in their prime and great fighters too, just ask one.

I'm sure a lot of hero worshipers will attack me for not "believing." I'm sure this BS will become "Forum Fact" soon and many of you will be repeating the "Willard was a great athlete" stories every time he is discussed. Until there is proof beyond what Willard told a biographer, I'll attribute it to the yarns of an old man who can say whatever he wants because he doesn't have to show anybody he can do it.